By Tom Degun at the Oval Cricket Ground in London

Sally Brown_with_Trophy_small_25-11-11November 25 - Sally Brown, the 16-year-old sprint starlet from Ballykelly, has been named the overall winner of the OCS Young Sports Person Awards 2011 at a glittering ceremony here.


It is the second major award that Brown has picked up this month after the Northern Ireland star was named at the winner of SportsAid's 2011 One-to-Watch Award.

However, it is no great surprise given that Brown is one of the youngest members of the British Paralympic athletics squad but still managed to claim bronze at the Christchurch 2011 International Paralympic Committee (IPC) World Championships in the 200 metres in January.

"Making great achievements in my sport has always been a dream and it's a bit strange now that it's all coming true," said Brown.

"I just really want to thank everyone who has been involved in making it all happen for me."

Brown revived the trophy from fellow Paralympic star and F57 javelin world champion Nathan Stephens, who won the OCS Young Sports Person Award back in 2005.

Sally Brown_and_Nathan_Stephens_small_25-11-11
As well as the trophy, Brown will also receive £10,000 ($15,600/€11,600) through the scheme over the next three years.

Born with her left hand and part of her arm missing, Brown is tipped for medal glory this year after her superb performance at the World Championships in New Zealand in January with a bronze at this year's Paralympic World Cup in Manchester and a gold at the 2011 World Junior Championships.

In her T46 classification Brown holds the number one UK ranking for both 100m and 200m.

She has proved her ability to compete in both non-disabled and disabled athletics like her hero Oscar Pistorius of South Africa as she was selected to compete for the Ulster relay team at the All-Ireland finals.

"I'll love to go on and do what Oscar has done and compete at the able-bodied World Athletics Championships," added Brown.

"That would be amazing both from a personal point of view and for Paralympic sport in general."

The 2011 OCS Young Sports Person Awards event, held in conjunction with SportsAid, was hosted by BBC sports commentator Clare Balding and attended by sporting personalities including cricket legend David Gower, former rugby star Rory Underwood and the 400m British record holder Iwan Thomas.

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November 2011: Northern Ireland teenage sprinter chosen as one to watch by SportsAid